Brussels, 30/03/2010 (Agence Europe) - European telecoms operators cut their CO2 emissions by 20% between 2006 and 2008, welcomes ETNO, the association of European telecommunications operators, in its twice-yearly progress report. ETNO states that the 22 signatories of the ETNO Sustainability and Environmental Charter created in 1996 have managed to cut their emissions despite a general rise in energy demand due to the rise in mobile transmissions and data transmission. “Achieving sustainable growth is one of the key pillars of the recently adopted EU 2020 strategy. The ETNO members' commitment towards a continuous improvement of environmental performance demonstrates that sustainability and economic growth are fully compatible objectives”, states ETNO Director Michael Bartholomew. (I.L./transl.jl)